For the record, Notre Dame was snubbed from getting one of the bids. Yes, I’m bitter 🙁
The evidence:
Notre Dame, 36-23 overall, thought it strengthened its chances by winning 12 of its last 15 regular-season games, and by waging a rollicking third-place ride through the Big East tournament. Notre Dame (47) owned a higher RPI than San Diego State (51), Southern Miss (55) and Kansas (53). The Irish had a strength of schedule of 47 and five top 50 RPI wins. Several NCAA selections couldn’t match the Irish numbers. San Diego State has a strength of schedule of 90 and had three top 50 RPI victories. George Mason and Western Kentucky each earned an at-large berth despite combining for one top-50 RPI victory all season. The Patriots played just one game against the RPI top 50 all year and lost. The Hilltoppers went 1-6 against the RPI top 50.
Notre Dame’s resumé, second to Louisville in the Big East in terms of RPI, RPI victories and strength of schedule, included three victories against No. 1 seed Louisville, one victory over No. 2 seed (Oral Roberts) and one victory over No. 3 seed (Washington State). All those victories were either on the road or on a neutral site.
Wally says
For the record, Notre Dame was snubbed from getting one of the bids. Yes, I’m bitter 🙁
The evidence:
Notre Dame, 36-23 overall, thought it strengthened its chances by winning 12 of its last 15 regular-season games, and by waging a rollicking third-place ride through the Big East tournament. Notre Dame (47) owned a higher RPI than San Diego State (51), Southern Miss (55) and Kansas (53). The Irish had a strength of schedule of 47 and five top 50 RPI wins. Several NCAA selections couldn’t match the Irish numbers. San Diego State has a strength of schedule of 90 and had three top 50 RPI victories. George Mason and Western Kentucky each earned an at-large berth despite combining for one top-50 RPI victory all season. The Patriots played just one game against the RPI top 50 all year and lost. The Hilltoppers went 1-6 against the RPI top 50.
Notre Dame’s resumé, second to Louisville in the Big East in terms of RPI, RPI victories and strength of schedule, included three victories against No. 1 seed Louisville, one victory over No. 2 seed (Oral Roberts) and one victory over No. 3 seed (Washington State). All those victories were either on the road or on a neutral site.